Frequently Asked Questions

I passed one section of the exam and my application has expired. Will I need to take both sections of the exam when I reapply?

Exam results for each section of the exam are valid for one year from the passing date. If you reapply less than one year from passing one section of the exam, you will not need to retake that section. Both the State and National sections of the exam must be passed before the application expiration date.

My real estate application was filed with a name that is different than the name on my government issued ID. Will this prevent me from taking the exam?

Yes. The name on your government issued photo ID must match the name on your real estate license application. If the names do not match, please submit a name change request. Include your name as it appears on the application, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, and your telephone number to TREC.

Do I need to go to Texas to be fingerprinted?

No. If youreside outside the service area of MorphoTrust you may request a Hard Card to get fingerprinted. A TREC-specific Hard Card must be obtained from TREC because it contains coding required by the DPS and FBI. MorphoTrust has details on how a Texas Non-resident can complete the fingerprinting process using a Hard Card.

Does Texas have reciprocity with any other state?

No. Texas does not have reciprocity with any state. To become licensed, you must satisfy all current Texas licensing requirements.

I am a broker licensed in another state and would like to apply in Texas. Can I apply online?

No. To apply as an out of state broker, you must submit the paper Application for Broker License by an Individual along with requested documents and the applicable fee.

I am renewing my license for the first time. Am I required to complete the Legal Update I and Legal Update II courses?

Yes. You are under the Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) requirements. Before you can renew your license, you are required to have completed a total of 270 hours of qualifying course hours, and the Legal Update I and II courses.

To determine how many hours have posted to your license record, you may visit the license holder info search feature on our website.

I am renewing my license. How do I know how many classes I need to take for renewal?

License holders must meet Continuing Education (CE) requirements during each two- year license period. CE must include 4 hours in Legal Update I and 4 hours in Legal Update II, and 10 hours in CE elective courses for a total of 18 hours. To determine how many hours have posted to your license record, you can visit our license holder search.

A broker or designated broker of a business entity who sponsor one or more sales agents during their current license period or a delegated supervisor of one or more license holders for a period of six months or more during the supervisor’s current license period must complete the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of the 18-hour CE requirement.

I have a license in another state. Can I be exempt from taking the National portion of the exam?

You can be exempt from taking the National portion of the exam if you hold an active license in a state that participates in the National exam accreditation with ARELLO. Submit a license history from the state in which you are licensed when you file your application so we can determine if you are exempt.

I have completed several courses for my law degree. Can any of these courses be used towards the required qualifying courses to obtain a sales agent license?

I want to renew my license active but am unable to complete my CE hours by the license expiration date. Can I get an extension to complete my hours?

Yes. If TREC records do not show that you have completed your CE at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE deferral fee, or renew in inactive status. Paying the deferral fee allows you to continue to be active in real estate activities and provides an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete your CE.

Online Services is not accepting my temporary password. What do I do?

Copy the temporary password from the email message you received when you registered. Paste it into the “Online Services – Login and Registration” web page when you log in. You will be prompted to create a new password of your own. Once you create your password, you must save it to have future access to your online account.

Become a Qualifying Real Estate or Inspector Course Instructor

Instructors of Qualifying Real Estate Courses

A qualifying real estate course instructor can teach qualifying courses for an approved qualifying education provider. Qualifying real estate course instructors are approved to teach specific courses in specific subject areas and are approved based on their education and experience.

Become a Qualifying Real Estate Course Instructor

Notice of approval or disapproval will be sent by email. TREC can ask for additional information during the review process, so please be sure your contact information is accurate. You cannot teach any courses until you have received an approval letter.

Satisfy requirements to teach the qualifying Principles of Real Estate, Law of Agency and Law of Contracts courses

Attend the Legal Update I & II Instructor Training Course

You can register to attend a Legal Update I & II Instructor Training course by visiting the Real Estate Center website at http://recenter.tamu.edu/register. If a training course is not available, please re-visit the Real Estate Center website periodically. You may not teach the Legal Update I & II courses until you have received your certification letter from TREC. Certification letters will be emailed.

Satisfy requirements to teach qualifying Principles of Real Estate, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts and Real Estate Brokerage courses

Attend the Broker Responsibility Instructor Training course and pass the course exam with a score of 80% or better

You can register to attend a Broker Responsibility Instructor Training course by visiting the Real Estate Center website at http://recenter.tamu.edu/register. If a training course is not available, please re-visit the Real Estate Center website periodically. You may not teach the Broker Responsibility course until you have received your certification letter from TREC. Certification letters will be emailed.

If you are not already approved as a qualifying course instructor, you can request approval to teach specific qualifying courses and one or more of the non-elective CE courses by filing the Qualifying Real Estate Instructor Application.

Instructors of Qualifying Inspector Courses

A qualifying inspector course instructor can teach qualifying courses for an approved qualifying education provider. Qualifying inspector course instructors are approved to teach specific courses in specific subject areas and are approved based on their education and experience.

Become a Qualifying Inspector Course Instructor

Notice of approval or disapproval will be sent by email. TREC can ask for additional information during the review process, so please be sure your contact information is accurate. You cannot teach any courses until you have received an approval letter.

Approval to teach the Inspector Legal & Ethics, Standards of Practice Review and the Ride Along Sessions

Qualifications

Have five years of active experience as a licensed professional inspector in Texas; AND

Have performed a minimum of 200 real estate inspections as a Texas professional inspector; OR

Have three years of experience in teaching and/or sponsoring trainees or inspectors.